Semi-automatic machine for assembling partitions



ATTO R NEY Feb. 6, 1968 R. L. R. LUCAS SEMI-AUTOMATIC MACHIANE FOR ASSEMBIJING PAH'IlTIONS Filed April 23, 1965 United States Patent O s Claims. icl. 93-37) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE In assembling slotted partition dividers, one of the elements is stacked horizontally while another element is held vertically and intermittently lowered. When the slots of the vertical element are in alignment with lowest horizontal element, the latter is fed into engagement with the vertical element.

This invention lrelates to the art of packaging equipment and more particularly to an equipment for assembling slotted lpartitions to be used in shipping containers.

As conducive to an understanding of the invention it is noted that in many industries partitions are used in containers to provide separators for products being shipped to prevent breakage. These partitions may be made of any suitable material such as corrugated board, cardboard, wood, plastic or metal.

The partition is generally made up of a plurality of rectangular sheets which are slotted half way through their width so that they may be interconnected.

Since these partitions are 'used in great number, equipments have been designed for mechanically assembling the component elements of said partitions which for ease of understanding will hereinafter be identified as dividers and separators Where completely automatic equipment is used to assemble the partition, it is necessary that one of the elements, for example the separator, be positioned in a stack with each separator in horizontal position and the dividers Ipositioned in a second stack in vertical position and generally speaking, complicated mechanism is required to effect movement of the elements of each stack for interengagement thereof.

The diculty of completely automatic assembly is enhanced by the fact that since the elements are relatively thin and in many cases may be of corrugated board which tends to warp, the slightest irregularity in one of the elements will prevent inter-engagement of the slots thereof and hence cause jamming. Where the equipment is fully automatic, since it is relatively complicated, the elimination of such jamming is relatively time-consuming with resultant increase in the cost of the production.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a semi-automatic machine for assembling partitions in which there is only one stack of elements and in which the other elements are fed manually into the machine and thereupon automatically assembled with respect to the first named element, which equipment is relatively simple in construction having few elements which may readily be fabricated and which Will operate at relatively high speed, even though semi-automatic in nature and in which, in the event jamming occurs, may readily and rapidly be cleared so that stoppage of production is minimized.

According to the invention, these objects are accomplished by providing a hopper in which a stack of separators for example, will be positioned for successive discharge of the lowermost separator in the stack. Suitable guide means are provided to permit manual positioning ICC of divider elements and automatic controls are provided for intermediate movement of the divider elements so that the separator when advanced can engage the associated slots in the divider to complete the assembly of a partition.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a separator in position for advance into the assembly Iportion of the equipment;

FIG. 2 shows two dividers located vertically in the manner in which they are introduced by the operator into the equipment;

FIG. 3 shows the assembled partition;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of the semi-automatic assembly equipment;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the cam shaft for operating the control valves of the equipment, and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an air actuator used in the equipment.

Referring now to the drawings, the partition P, illustratively shown in FIG. 3, comprises a pair of separators 1, 1a and a pair of dividers 4, 4a.

Each of the separators and dividers has a pair of spaced parallel slots extending halfway therethrough, the slots in the separators being designated by the numerals 3 and 3a and the slots in the dividers 4 and 4a being designated by the numerals 5, 5a and 6, 6a respectively.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the separators are arranged in horizontal position in a stack 2.

The equipment for assembling the partition P comprises a rectangular frame 7 having parallel side members S and Sa connected by end members 8c, 8d.

The frame 7 is supported on upright legs 9, 10, 11 and 12 and a rectangular plate 13 extends transversely across the top of the frame for substantially one-half the length thereof adjacent the end member 8d.

Mounted on plate 13 is a speed reducer 14 having an associated drive motor M. The shaft 15 of the speed reducer, which extends beneath the plate 13 mounts a sprocket wheel 16 and a crankshaft 17. The sprocket wheel 16 is connected by means of a sprocket chain 19, to a sprocket 18 secured to the lower end of a pin 24 extending through the plate 13, the upper end of the pin having a gear 23 secured thereto.

The crankshaft 17 is pivotally connected at its free end as at 17" to one end of a connecting rod 20 which is pivotally connected as at 20 to a slide plate 21 to reciprocate the latter between parallel guide strips 22, 22o secured to the top surface of plate 13.

Mounted on the plate 13 and rising therefrom is a camshaft 25 to which are secured cams 26, 27 and 28 and gear 29. The lgear 29 is operatively connected to gear 23, through a pair of gears 30, 31 secured to a stud shaft 349 mounted on a pivoted arm 32, the gear 30 being driven by gear 32 and the gear 31 driving the gear 29 of cam shaft 25.

Thus, by changing the size of gears 30, 31, the speed of rotation of cam shaft 25 can be varied.

The cams 26, 27, 28 control pneumatic valves 33, 34, 35 respectively, mounted on a hollow post 35 rising from plate 13. A source of air under pressure is fed through line 36 into the hollow post 35 and into each of the valves 33, 34, 35 and each valve has an air outlet line 33', 34', 35 connected thereto respectively which in turn are connected respectively to air actuators 37; `45, 45a and 41, 41a.

As is shown in FIG. 6, each of the air actuators comprises a cylinder 65 in which a piston 62 is slidably mounted. One end of each cylinder has a port to which the associated air outlet line is connected; a piston rod 3 63 connected to the piston extends through the other end of cylinder 65.

The piston rod 63 is normally retained in retracted position by a coil spring 64 positioned in the cylinder 65.

Extending transversely between the side members 8, 8a of the frame adjacent the inner end of plate 13 is a cross beam 54 from the central portion of which rise spaced parallel channel members 53, 53a substantially U-shaped in cross section and having their openings 53 directed toward end member 8c. The channel members 53, 53a which are ared at their upper ends as at 53 deiine guide members for one of the edges of the dividers 4, 4a.

Also rising from cross beam 54 and straddling the guide members 53, 53a are L-shaped channel members 55a, 55C which, together with L-shaped channel members 55, 55b rising from plate 13 define the four corners of a hopper H in which the separators are stacked.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of each of the channel members 55a, 55C is cut` away as at S5 to define a vertical passageway of height suflicient to permit only one separator to be pushed out of the stack by the slide plate 21 which engages the edge 1 of the lowermost separator. In addition, it is to be noted that the members 53, 53a are supported by the L-shaped members 55a, 55e through cross struts 55d so that the lower ends 55e of members 53, 53a are also spaced from plate 13 to permit passage of a separator thereunder.

Also extending transversely across the frame between the side members 8, 8a is a movable cross beam 50 which has a threaded opening 50 at each end through which extends screws 56, 56a. As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, one end of each screw is freely rotatable in a suitable bearing in cross beam 54 as at 54. The screw 56 extends through end member 8c and mounts a handle 59 for rotation thereof. Each of the screws 56, 56a, adjacent end member 8c mounts a sprocket wheel 57, 57a connected by sprocket chain 58 so that upon rotation of handle 59 both screws 56, 56a will rotate in unison to vary the position of movable cross beam 50 with respect to xed cross beam 54 depending upon the width of dividers 4, 4a.

Secured at their lower ends to the cross beam 58 and rising therefrom are spaced parallel support posts 51, 51a. Extending transversely between the upper ends of posts 51, 51a and rotatable thereon is a shaft 38a which has one end extending through post 51 and mounting a lever 38. Secured to shaft 38a is the edge of a rectangular stop plate 39. The piston rod 63 of actuator 37 is operatively connected to lever 38 normally to retain the stop plate 39 in a horizontal plane to support the lower edges of the dividers 4, 4a in the manner to be described.

Secured to the cross beam 50 and rising therefrom are spaced parallel guides 52, 52a, the upper ends 52b, 52C of each of which rise above the horizontal stop plate 39 and are bent outwardly therefrom to clear such stop plate.

As shown in FIG. 4, such upper ends 52b, 52e of each of the guides 52, 52a are tiared outwardly to facilitate the insertion thereinto of one of the edges of an associated divider which fall by gravity in the manner to be described, the other edges of each divider being guided by members 53, 53a.

Secured to the movable cross beam 50 is a bearing block 49 from which depends a support rod 48 that carries vertically spaced actuator mounts 40 and 44. As is shown in FIG. 4, the air actuators 41, 41a and `45, 45a, straddle the mounts 40 and 44 and are rigidly secured thereto in parallel relation.

The air outlet lines 34', 35' are connected to the actuators 41, 41a and 45, 45a respectively and the piston rods of said pairs of actuators 41, 41a and 45, 45a are rigidly connected to horizontal stop plates 43, 47 respectively.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, said plates are designed to be reciprocated beneath the cross beam 50 in a horizontal plane from a position in which they are `retracted clear of the discharge space S between beams 54, t) to a position in which they extend into said discharge space to restrain` downward movement of the dividers 4, 4a.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cams 26, 27, 28 each has two portions 60, 61, the portion 6) corresponding to the closed position of the valves 33, 34, 35 and the portion 61 corresponding to the open position of such valves.

The dimension of the hopper H may be made variable in manner well known in the art so that separators of diierent sizes can be accommodated. This is also true of the spacing between the members 53, 53a and 52, 52a so that dividers of ditlerentsizes can be accommodated.

The positioning of the cross beam has already been described and to vary the vertical spacing between stop plates 43, 47, the support rod is oppositely threaded at the regions thereof engaged by mounts 4t), 44 so that upon rotation of rod 48 by a suitable handle, the plates 43, 47 may be moved together or apart as desired.

In the operation of the equipment, with a stack of separators positioned in hopper H, the operator need merely place a pair of dividers 4, 4a verticaly in each of the members 52, 53 and 52a, 53a so that the lower ends of each divider will rest on stop plate 39 which is in horizontal position as its associated cam 26 has its portion 68 aligned with valve 33.

At this time the valve 33 is closed and the valves 34 and 35 are open as the portions 61 of cams 27, 28 are aligned with said valves. Consequently, the plate 39 is in horizontal position and the plates 43, 47 are both extended.

The motor M is then energized to start the assembly cycle of two separators and two dividers to form the partition.

As a result, through the transmission from shaft 15, the cam shaft 25 will be rotated so that cam 26 will open valve 33 to permit air under pressure to tiow to air actuator 37. This will cause the latter to pivot plate 39 downwardly so that the dividers 4, 4a will drop until they engage stop plate 43.

At this time, the slots 5a, 6a of said dividers 4, 4a will be horizontally aligned with the slots 3, 3a of the lowermost separator in stack 2 in the hopper H. Thereupon, rotation of shaft 15 and crankshaft 17 will cause the slide plate 21 to move forward pushing the lowermost separator in the hopper outwardly so that the slots 3, 3a will engage slots 5a, 6a, and continued rotation of crankshaft 17 will then retract plate 21.

Thereupon, with continued rotation of camshaft 25, the cam 26 will close valve 33 and actuator 37 will be spring returned to restore plate 39 to horizontal position and the operator may then position two additional dividers into the members 52, 53 and 52a, 52b so that they rest on the stop plate 39 ready for the next assembly operation.

After slide plate 21 has been retracted, the continued rotation of camshaft 25 will also cause valve 34 to close so that actuators 41, 41a will be spring returned to retracted position.

As -a result, the partially assembled partition will drop until it rests on extended plate 47. Thereupon, with continued rotation of the camshaft, the next lowermost separator in hopper H will be advanced so that its slots 3, 3a will engage the aligned slots 5, 6 in dividers 4, 4a to complete the assembly of the partition.

With further continued rotation of shaft 15, the slide plate will be retracted and cam shaft 25 will close valve 35 so that the plate will cut otf air to actuators 45, 45a so that plate 47 will be retracted to discharge the assembled partition.

Thereupon, with continued rotation -of the cam shaft, the valves 34, 35 will again open so that plates 43, 47 will be extended and the equipment is ready for the next assembly operation.

It is to be noted that with each complete rotation of cam shaft 25, a partition consisting of two separators and two dividers will be assembled and during such coniplete rotation, the crankshaft 17 will make two complete rotations.

With the equipment above described, it is apparent that partitions may readily be assembled at a relatively high rate of speed and in the event of jamming the equipment may readily be stopped and the jammed partition removed without need for disassembly of any portion of the equipment.

Although the equipment has been illustratively shown as air actuated, it is of course within the scope of the invention to use hydraulic or electrical actuators.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different 1embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Equipment for assembling partitions of the type comprising two substantially rectangular elements of sheet stock extending at right angles to each other, each of said elements having a slot extending half way therethrough, said equipment comprising a hopper to receive a stack of one of said elements in horizontal position, means to retain the other of said elements in vertical feed position, means intermittently to lower said vertical element to bring its slot into alignment with the slot in said horizontal element and means when said vertical element is at rest to move said horizon-tal element from said hopper into engagement with said vertical element.

2. The equipment set forth in claim 1 in which said hopper has an outlet to permit passage therethrough of only the lowermost element in the stack, and a reciprocable member is provided movable against said lowermost element to discharge the latter from said stack.

`3. The equipment set forth in claim 1 in which said hopper has an outlet to permit passage therethrough of only the lowermost element in the stack, a reciprocable member is provided movable against said lowermost element to discharge the latter from said stack, a pair of spaced vertical guide members to retain the other of said elements in vertical position, a movable member associated with said guide members to restrain downward movement of said vertical member, a second movable member positioned below the first movable member and below the plane of the lowermost element in the hopper and control means successively to move said first movable member out of the path of said vertical element to permit downward movement thereof onto said second movable member; to actuate said reciprocable member to move the horizont-al element out of said hopper into engagement with said vertical element and to move said second movable member out of the path of said vertical member for discharge of the assembled partition.

4. The equipment set forth in claim 3 in which said reciprocable member is slidably mounted, a drive motor is provided operatively connected to said member to reciprocate the latter, actuator members are operatively connected to said movable members, and means are provided controlled by said motor to operate said actuator member in timed relation with the movement of said reciprocable member.

S. The equipment set forth in claim 3 in which each of said partitions comprises at least two pairs of substantially rectangular elements, the elements of each pair extending at right angles to each other and each element having a pair of slots extending half way therethrough, a third movable member is positioned beneath said second movable member, said partition dropping onto said third movable member when said second movable member is moved out of the path of said vertical members, means to effect reciprocation of said reciprocable member to move the next bottommost element from said stack into engagement with said vertical elements and means to thereupon move said third movable member out of the path of the vertical element for discharge of the assembled partition.

6. The equipment set forth in claim S in which said second and third movable members each comprises ya horizontal reciprocable stop, actuating means to reciprocate said stops, a vertical rod supporting said actuator means, and means upon rotation of said rod to effect movement of said actuator means toward and away from each other to vary the vertical spacing between said stops.

7. The combination set forth in claim S in which said first movable member comprises a pivoted stop land said second and third movable members each comprises a horizontally reciprocable stop, actuator means associ-ated respectively with each of said movable members to pivot said first movable member and to reciprocate said second and third movable member and means to adjust t-he vertical spacing between said second and third movable members.

8. The equipment set forth in claim 3 in which said control means comprises a drive motor operatively connected to said reciprocable member to actuate the latter, fluid actuators operatively connected to said first and second movable means, valve means controlling said actuators, cams controlling said valve means, a cam shaft mounting said cams and operatively connected to said motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner. 

